The explosion's flames soared into the sky, visible to everyone in Cangyue City as thick smoke billowed upwards.
The border troops stationed outside Cangyue City, upon seeing the smoke rising from the city, assumed an accident had occurred. A general immediately mobilized his forces, rushing to the aid of Cangyue City.
At this moment, within Cangyue City.
The people, dazed by the shockwave of the explosion, slowly regained their senses. Looking at the raging fire before them, their expressions completely changed.
"What was that... it exploded? Could it be the God of Fire descending?"
"I seem to recall hearing that a kingdom in the Eastern Region invented something called 'gunpowder.' When ignited, it explodes. No matter how powerful a master, they'll be reduced to dust, just like that Wang Li Ren!"
"Gunpowder? What kind of medicinal ingredient is that? So miraculous?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but it's likely City Lord Shi got this gunpowder from the East. No wonder he's been so brazen in Cangyue City. With this, what do I have to fear from the Emperor?"
The crowd whispered amongst themselves, their awe for Shi Ming growing. They instinctively moved away from the battlefield, fearing they might be caught in another explosion.
Shi Ming seemed to relish the fearful gazes from those around him. A faint smile played on his lips as he looked at the thick smoke ahead and said, "Now that Wang Li Ren and Wu Mei are both dead from the explosion, I have no more worries. Meng Hun won't be able to stir up any trouble. This world still belongs to our Shi family."
"In a while, once all my mechanical soldiers are built, I won't need to support that good-for-nothing Wu Yue anymore. This world... will soon belong to the Shi family!"
Shi Ming laughed heartily, unafraid of his words being overheard by those around him.
In his eyes, after twenty years of preparation, everything was now in place, needing only the opportune moment.
The world belonged to their Shi family!
However, just as Shi Ming was envisioning the future, a gentle breeze blew, and the thick smoke gradually dispersed. The crowd vaguely saw three figures standing amidst the smoke.
"Look! There are people in the smoke, they're not dead!"
The onlookers cried out in surprise, their faces filled with disbelief, upon seeing the figures in the smoke.
"Impossible!"
Shi Ming's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as he stared intently at the smoke, his arms trembling uncontrollably.
"I loaded the sedan with enough gunpowder to kill the Sword Saint Lu You! How could this fellow be unharmed?"
Shi Ming couldn't believe what he was seeing and instinctively stumbled backward, thinking he was dreaming.
"I thought City Lord Shi had some ultimate move, but it turns out to be just this low-level thing called gunpowder." Ye Ling emerged from the smoke, smiling at Shi Ming, his eyes full of mockery. "Forget about those advanced technological civilizations; this stuff is just a child's toy where I come from."
Behind Ye Ling, Bai Lan and Wu Mei were also unharmed, showing no signs of being affected by the explosion.
Bai Lan smiled, "In the Extreme Martial Domain, possessing gunpowder can indeed be considered a dimensional strike. Calling it the strongest hidden weapon wouldn't be an exaggeration... Unfortunately, City Lord Shi, you've provoked the wrong person. Your proud gunpowder has absolutely no effect on my master."
"N-no, it's impossible! There must have been an accident just now!"
Unable to accept the reality, Shi Ming pulled two round, black spheres from behind him and hurled them fiercely at Ye Ling. "All of you die!"
The two black spheres sliced through the air, reaching Ye Ling at extreme speed. The gunpowder within ignited due to the intense friction!
"Thunderclap Bombs?" Ye Ling raised an eyebrow slightly at the two black spheres, then casually flicked his sleeve. The two black spheres miraculously changed direction and shot back towards Shi Ming!
*Boom!!!*
The black spheres exploded in front of Shi Ming, sending him flying. One of his arms was blown off, causing another wave of gasps from the surrounding crowd!
Everyone stared at Ye Ling in shock, their minds blank.
Setting aside everything else, Shi Ming was, after all, a supreme master ranked ninth in the "Record of Heroes in the Martial World." His strength was far beyond that of ordinary martial artists!
Throughout the entire Martial Dynasty, perhaps only Bai Xiao Sheng could easily crush Shi Ming. Even the Sword Saint Lu You couldn't achieve such a feat!
Yet now, Ye Ling had effortlessly achieved complete dominance...
"What exactly is this Wang Li Ren's background? Why does he possess such profound cultivation?"
"The Martial Dynasty might have another Bai Xiao Sheng. The world is about to change!"
"Everyone, don't forget, Wang Li Ren claims to be the Azure Demon Swordsman, yet he hasn't drawn his sword yet. This means he hasn't unleashed his true strength! In my opinion, the title of Sword Saint should also change hands!"
As Ye Ling displayed his overwhelming strength against Shi Ming, the surrounding onlookers began to spontaneously praise Ye Ling, even comparing him to Bai Xiao Sheng, the foremost expert in the world!
The Extreme Martial Domain was, after all, a world that revered martial arts. Its inhabitants esteemed martial prowess above all else; everything else was considered superficial to the beings of the Extreme Martial Domain!
Not only the onlookers but even Shi Ming himself began to falter. Seeing his arm blown off and blood gushing out, his eyes filled with increasing fear. He looked at Ye Ling as if he were a demon!
"You, you don't come any closer!"
Shi Ming sat slumped on the ground, his face contorted in terror as he scooted backward, trying to get away from Ye Ling.
"I have a million troops outside the city. Now that such a commotion has occurred in Cangyue City, they will surely be here soon! If you dare to harm me, you will never be able to leave this city!"
"Even now, you're still threatening me with these empty words. Do you think they'll work?" Ye Ling walked up to Shi Ming with a smile, looking down at him mockingly.
"You, what do you want to do?"
Shi Ming stared at Ye Ling with dread, his one remaining hand hidden behind his back as he asked tremblingly.
Ye Ling ignored Shi Ming's furtive movements and said with a smile, "Initially, I intended to spar with you and call it a day.
"But you couldn't play by the rules, first ganging up on me, then ambushing me with explosives... Someone like you, who lacks martial ethics, doesn't deserve to live in this world."
"I don't deserve to live in this world?"
Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, Shi Ming's pupils contracted sharply. His entire face contorted, and he then drew a firearm from behind him, aiming it at Ye Ling's head. "Go to hell! I'll kill you today!"
*Bang!!!*
Shi Ming pulled the trigger without hesitation. Flames erupted from the muzzle of the firearm, and a steel projectile shot out, aimed at Ye Ling's forehead.
However, the projectile, capable of piercing an iron plate as wide as a palm, bounced off Ye Ling's forehead and flew back, shattering one of Shi Ming's ears!
"Ahhhhhh!"
Shi Ming immediately clutched his ear and screamed. His piercing cry made the surrounding crowd unable to bear watching, and their reverence for Ye Ling deepened.
In their eyes, Shi Ming had resorted to sneak attacks with hidden weapons, lacking martial ethics, while the Azure Demon Swordsman Wang Li Ren hadn't even made a move, causing Shi Ming to suffer the consequences of his own actions!
Such formidable martial skill was undoubtedly the best in the world!
"Still relying on your little toys..."
Ye Ling shook his head, took the firearm from Shi Ming's hand, reloaded it, and placed the muzzle against Shi Ming's forehead. "Since you like this thing so much, I'll use it to send you on your way."
With the gun barrel pressed against him, Shi Ming was completely terrified and quickly begged for mercy. "I, I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please spare my life!"
"I'll be your dog from now on. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it!"
"Brother Wang, spare my life!"
"Wait for your next life, and then come find me, Wang Li Ren, for revenge." Ye Ling squinted and smiled at Shi Ming, then pulled the trigger.
*Bang!*
The projectile pierced Shi Ming's head and continued through the stone slab behind him.
Cangyue City fell silent.